Multi-Shape Archaeological Modeling and Communication
Carlo Bianchini, Giulia Pettoello
Abstract Fragmented, faceted and often even undisclosed, an archaeological site is perhaps one of the most heterogeneous piece of Cultural Heritage. Its multiple layers can be though classified into three main categories: completely visible, partially visible and not visible. The last one represents an element of special interest being related to the reading of an observer and his/her subjective background and ability in collecting, interpreting and elaborating a variety of data and information. Anastylosis operations are thus the product of this process of merging/filtering of information: data coming from fieldwork, surveys, documental sources, comparative analysis and so on. Too often though the results seem to address exclusively scholar and experts while a wider communication of new information and content is neglected or underestimated. The project we are presenting, focusing on the archaeological site of Vulci in Tuscany, has instead tried to balance the two previous aspects (scientific consistency and communication effectiveness) exploring the potential of several outputs: video trailer, smartphone application, real-time model, 3D PDF and digital brochure. The research has taken into account both the nature of the archaeological site and the generic visitor’s need designing a tailor made communication project according to a specific object, the Great Temple in the Vulci site. Intangible aspects have besides taken into great account: while in fact the communication of tangible elements is easier, intangible is instead difficult to be analyzed and transmitted. Our research has tried also to deal with these issues not only providing a virtual reconstruction of something that actually is just a memory (the Great Temple) but also of the “overall picture” of the cultural landscape the building used to be part of: a work possible only analyzing and interpreting the existing traces “in situ”. The result is a flexible communication grid which is at the same time very simple and intuitive. The cultural interaction between user and archeological heritage becomes a mutual exchange. Memory "takes" shape to return to existence again virtually.
